By Vicki Scott
It was around this time 2016 that I started writing articles for The Messenger. Six years have passed (too fast, in my opinion) with many weekly adventures, mostly at George Wallace Senior Center in Glencoe. What is ironic is the relationship between my plans for the new year and my adventures at the senior center. The way I found out about the center’s nutrition manager position started with finding the meeting place for T.O.P.S. (Take off Pounds Sensibly).
For this new year, my perfectly shaped daughter, Eva, wanted to do the 75-Day Challenge with her brother Joseph – who is also in perfect health – joining her.
There I stood, in the worst shape of my life and with the need to keep my mouth shut but did not have the ability to do so. I mentioned perhaps trying it as well. Eva jumped on my suggestion. She could not get Joseph on board, so she strongly encouraged me.
The challenge consists of five steps: 1. Exercise 45 minutes twice a day. 2. Drink one gallon of water. 3. Read ten pages of a non-fictional book a day. 4. Follow a specific diet. 5. Take a selfie every day to show your progress.
For the month of December, I practiced the steps individually in order to brace myself for the new adventure. Eva has been on the challenge for two weeks now and is a little too excited. My husband Alan finished off a gallon of Milos Tea and I took the empty jug to measure my water intake. This alone was making the challenge seem undoable. Oh, and I had to explain my plans to Alan, who he is on board, sort of. He plans to keep up with my exercise by going with me, both times. I might mention that Alan is also in good shape.
Joseph came to visit and noticed my water jug in the refrigerator. He asked about it, and I told him I was trying to get ready for the challenge. He nodded as if he understood my intentions. On his way out, Joseph decided to do the challenge, too, explaining that he wanted to keep his sister in check.
Later that afternoon, Joseph called and offered to meet me at 4 p.m. every afternoon at the park to walk for one of the two exercises. My heart fluttered at the thought of seeing my JoJo every day for a walk. He is more patient with me than Eva, and that thought won me over to accept the challenge.
The only issue is Joseph does not want me to tell Eva or anyone else about our daily walks. I’d already told some people, however. How can I keep something like that to myself? I would turn down meeting my favorite movie star to meet with my children at a moment like this. Eva unknowingly hindered our plans to start our walks this past Monday, as she needs us to keep two of our grandchildren. I am so blessed.
At 56 years old, I have tried almost every diet known to man. I love to eat, and I know that if I want to stay in shape, I cannot eat what Alan eats. The difference this year is that the 75-Day Challenge does not ask you to weigh yourself. That’s good, because I plan not to be defined by my weight. I want to feel better. I might not follow the challenge to the letter but striving for it will show results. I am excited to start, whenever that day will be.
Of all the changes over the past six years, I praise God for a new perspective. He used everyone at the senior center and in my family to realize the blessings in my life that I should focus on instead of my happiness in regard on my weight scale.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.
Changing my focus is my 2022 New Year’s Resolution. I pray this column helps people who need to change their focus.
Stay safe, y’all, and Happy New Year!
Contact Vicki Scott at lily200383@yahoo.com.